Rail bond



Aug. 18, 1925.

l ,550,073 J. P. HoLslNG RAIL BOND Filed Nov. 14. i925 Patented Aug. 18, 1925,

UNITED STATES JOSEPH r. HoLsINe, or HIGH Isrtnvr, KENTUCKY.

RAIL BOND.

Application filed November 14, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

`Be it known that I, JOSEPH P. HoLsINc, citizen of the United States, residing at High Splint, in the county of Harlan and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail Bonds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrical connectors and has particular reference to an improved form of rail bond by means of which rail sections may be electrically connected at their joints so that the rails may act as conductors of electricity.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a rail bond of simple and durable construction, and one that will be eliicient in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rail bond which may be expeditiously applied to the rails and wherein the bonding or connecting` wire is positioned so as to render damage of the same unlikely, due to the wheels of a de-railed car engaging the 7 same.

Vith the above general objects in view and others that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination, and, arrangement of parts herein* after more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing, and claimed.

n the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a rail bond constructed in accordance with the present invention and operatively disposed upon the adjacent ends of abutting rail sections.

Figure 2 is a view of Figure l, partly in horizontal section, and partly in top plan, and

Figure 8 is a view of the device shown in VFigure 1, partly in transverse section, and partly in end elevation.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, 5 and 6 indicate the abutting rail sections that are to be bonded. The present bonding device comprises a pair of clips or clamps 7 or 8 formed and adapted to pass transversely of and under the base of the rails and then inwardly on the upper surface of the base thereof, so that the free ends of each clamp terminate at opposite sides of serial No. 674,674.

the rail web at the point of uncture between said web and the main flanges of the rail. It is to be understood that one clamp or clip is disposed upon the adjacent end of each rail section as shown in Figures l and 2, and in order to permit ready application of said clamps or clips, they are purposely formed of a pair of hingedly connected sections, the pivot of which is indicated at 9, and which allows the smaller section to swing in a vertical plane upon a horizontal axis that eX- tends parallel with the rail.

The inner end of the other clamp section of each clamp is provided with a sleeve or socket l0 that is open at its ends and disposed longitudinally of the rail at the point of juncture between one of the base flanges of the rail and the web thereof as shown clearly in Figure 3. In order to maintain the clamps upon the rails, the smaller sec tions of said clamps are provided with set screws ll in the free ends thereof adapted to be threaded into suitable sockets provided in the upper surface of the adjacent base flange of the rail as shown in Figure 3. ln this manner, creeping of the clamps is prevented and a good electrical connection made between the clamps and the rail. i

The socket 10 of the shoe clamps are provided with suitable set screws l2 by means of which the ends of the connecting or bonding wire 13 may be effectively secured there in so as to be capable of being easily removed if desired for renewal or other purposes, and when the wire is arranged with its ends within the sockets of the two clamps, said wire is positioned beneath the adjacent side of the ball of the rail so as to be fully protected.

From the above description, it is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the advantages of the present invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new is:

l. A rail bond comprising a pair of clamps adapted to embrace the bases of abutting rail sections with their ends terminating atopposite sides of the webs of the rail sections at the unctures of the rail webs with the bas flanges, aligned sockets rigid upon adjacent ends of said clamps, a bonding wire having its ends disposed within said sockets, means for securing the ends of said bonding wires in said socket, said llO lbeing` composedof hingedly connectedy sections, the inner ends of which are adapted to be disposed inclose proximity to the web of the rail, one of said ends being` provided with zr transversely disposed open ended sleeve ormingnr asocletfor reception of the Wire, set screws carried by said socket, and additional set screws carried by the other section of the clamp for connecting the clamp to the rail.

n testimony whereof I zLHiX my si gnature.

JOSEPH P. HOLSING. 

